Major cuts to New Hampshire’s university system are on the table in the state’s budget, but some business leaders say those cuts could be bad news for the state’s long-term success.Last month, lawmakers gave initial approval to a two-year, $50-million cut to the state university system.The Republican majority on Division 2 of the House Finance Committee approved the 30% funding reduction on a party-line vote, saying the state is facing tough choices. “When push came to shove at the end of the budget, that was still a need to reduce our overall spending, and we ran out of other places to reduce funding from,” said state Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller, R-Windham.Popovici-Muller said they tried to prevent cuts, but this was simply about balancing the budget.”We believe that while it is an unpleasant cut that will require sacrifices and some tougher choices from the university system, they are in a great position to withstand it,” he said.Democrats said they don’t know if such a big cut is necessary.Business leaders said Tuesday that they believe the governor’s revenue estimates are more accurate and that her plan is more reasonable than what’s on the table now.”We have to look at the university system not just as a cost, but an investment. And investment creates a return. And the return in this case for our state is people and talent and economic growth,” said Michael Skelton, of the Business & Industry Association.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play > Subscribe to WMUR’s YouTube channel
Major cuts to New Hampshire’s university system are on the table in the state’s budget, but some business leaders say those cuts could be bad news for the state’s long-term success.
Last month, lawmakers gave initial approval to a two-year, $50-million cut to the state university system.
The Republican majority on Division 2 of the House Finance Committee approved the 30% funding reduction on a party-line vote, saying the state is facing tough choices.
“When push came to shove at the end of the budget, that was still a need to reduce our overall spending, and we ran out of other places to reduce funding from,” said state Rep. Daniel Popovici-Muller, R-Windham.
Popovici-Muller said they tried to prevent cuts, but this was simply about balancing the budget.
“We believe that while it is an unpleasant cut that will require sacrifices and some tougher choices from the university system, they are in a great position to withstand it,” he said.
Democrats said they don’t know if such a big cut is necessary.
Business leaders said Tuesday that they believe the governor’s revenue estimates are more accurate and that her plan is more reasonable than what’s on the table now.
“We have to look at the university system not just as a cost, but an investment. And investment creates a return. And the return in this case for our state is people and talent and economic growth,” said Michael Skelton, of the Business & Industry Association.
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They also said that with New Hampshire’s population aging, a strong educational system is important.
“New Hampshire actually has the oldest workforce in the country,” said Skelton. “Twenty-seven percent of our workers are aged 55 and older. We need to have a strategy for how to replace them, how to ensure that our workforce remains vibrant and active and growing. And there’s no way we can do that without having a university system and educational opportunities equipped to bring those people here.”
House Republicans have said they’re confident the university system can take such a hit and recover.
In a statement on Tuesday, Senate President Sharon Carson said, “It is too early in the budget process to say where things will end up. We still have a long way to go, and we need to know where the most recent revenue projections stand before figuring out what will ultimately happen.”